Fiberglass reinforced plastic (FRP) otherwise known as soft stone is a synthetic stone material that mimics the appearance of natural stone like granite, marble etc. but has the benefits of being lighter, more durable and resistant to stains and scratches than natural stone. FRP is produced by bonding resin and inorganic fillers such as limestone, dolomite with reinforced woven glass fibers under heat and pressure. It provides a seamless non-porous surface that doesn't need sealing like natural stone and is easier to install that requires less material handling. The low maintenance and cost effectiveness compared to natural stone is driving its increased usage in kitchen countertops, flooring, wall cladding and other interior and exterior applications in residential and commercial construction.
The Global FRP Soft Stone Market is estimated to be valued at USD 3.83 Bn in 2025 and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 8.2% over the forecast period 2025-2032.
Key Takeaways
Key players operating in the FRP soft stone market are DuraStone, Belden Brick, Pearlstone, Polycor Inc., Watson Co. etc. The industry is witnessing consolidation as major companies are acquiring regional players to expand their product portfolio and geographical reach.
Growing urban population and rising disposable income especially in emerging economies of Asia Pacific and Latin America is fueling the demand for residential construction projects. Properties with modern aesthetics and low maintenance materials like FRP soft stone are gaining wide acceptance.
FRP Soft Stone Market Insights is advancements in resin formulations help in mimicking varied natural stone textures more accurately while improving characteristics like mechanical strength, scratch and impact resistance of FRP composite materials. 3D printing technology is enabling mass customization of designs according to customer preferences.
Market Trends
Increasing remodeling and renovation activities of older buildings and infrastructure is opening new revenue channels for FRP soft stone suppliers. Large scale production using continuous laminating machines ensures lower costs.
FRP composite materials are also finding usage in non-residential applications such as exterior cladding, elevator doors, bath surrounds due to the materials’ anti-microbial properties and durability in harsh environments.
Market Opportunities
Growing “Do-It-Yourself” home improvement culture in western markets is driving the demand for thinner FRP sheets and customized molds that enable amateur installation of FRP materials.
Countries in Middle East and Africa are investing heavily in building construction owing to high economic growth rates providing ample opportunities for FRP soft stone suppliers for both residential and non-residential projects.
Impact of COVID-19 on FRP Soft Stone Market Growth
The COVID-19 pandemic severely impacted the global FRP soft stone market in 2020. The implementation of lockdowns and social distancing norms led to stalling of new construction and renovation activities across major regions of the world. This resulted in a drastic decline in demand for FRP soft stone from end-use industries such as residential, commercial and industrial construction.
According to industry experts, the FRP soft stone market declined by over 15-20% in 2020 compared to the pre-COVID estimates. The supply chain disruptions also affected the availability of key raw materials required for FRP soft stone manufacturing. This led to shutdowns or reduced production capacities across many manufacturing facilities.
However, with mass vaccination drives and relaxations in lockdown rules in 2021, the construction activities are gradually resuming operations. The market is expected to show strong recovery from 2022 onwards. The demand for low maintenance and durable stone alternatives is increasing for renovation projects. This will drive higher adoption of FRP soft stones in the post-pandemic times. Manufacturers are also focusing on developing innovative product formulations with enhanced durability, anti-bacterial and self-cleaning properties to cater changing consumer preferences.
In terms of regional contribution, North America accounted for over 35% of the global FRP soft stone market value in the pre-COVID year of 2019. The early recovery of the US construction sector from the pandemic impacts supported faster market revival.
On the other hand, Asia Pacific has emerged as the fastest growing regional market, especially driven by countries like China and India. Rising investments in commercial and infrastructure sectors facilitated by government initiatives are creating new avenues. The Asia Pacific FRP soft stone market is projected to exhibit 10-12% growth during 2021-2025.
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Ravina Pandya, Content Writer, has a strong foothold in the market research industry. She specializes in writing well-researched articles from different industries, including food and beverages, information and technology, healthcare, chemical and materials, etc. (https://www.linkedin.com/in/ravina-pandya-1a3984191)